Most people have an idea of where and when to look for work, so this article is written as a check list of what you should be doing and where you should be looking if you're serious about finding a job.

Job Centres provide vacancies boards for all types of work. They change quite frequently and it's worth visiting them regularly. The staff can arrange for interviews for suitable vacancies and offer support and advice. Not forgetting the New Deal of course!

Many jobs are advertised in local and National Newspapers, many in free papers, and others in job hunting papers.

 

The Shropshire Star provides a karge jobs section in the paper on Thursdays.

 

Many employers will advertise in local and national papers, but not in the Job Centre, so it is a good idea to keep looking at these too.

 

Public libraries will keep most local and many national papers - which is worth bearing in mind as it can be costly to buy them all. Check the specific days when they carry job adverts, as many will only include vacancies on a specific day of the week.

Many professions have their own journals, periodicals or magazines. Employers will often go to these for the best chance of employing a professional. Some can be seen on the magazine shelves, others are by subscription only. So if you're a professional looking for work and not subscribing to your industry's publications it may be worth it now. If you are a recently graduated student, then subscribe to a professional journal, they often have reduced rates for student members and it will considerably increase your job hunting prospects.

Much local work, is handled by local Employment Agencies (not government organisations). They cover all types of work. Employment Agencies are listed under the Yellow Pages and in local directories like the Thompson Directory.

 

Employment agencies can often work in two ways. They employ and pay you while you work on a contract they have with an employer, or they fill a vacancy for an employer who will then employ you directly. These vacancies can be permanent or temporary and there are agencies who specialise in specific occupational areas.

 

It's not unusual for 'temps' to find full time work through agencies. Employers may well treat a temporary contract as a 'probationary' period. Of course for some employers and employees alike, temporary contracts give them both flexibility.

The web provides a vast amount of information and job searching opportunities. Many companies will advertise on there website all the current vacancies.

 

Once you've found your sites you will find vacancies, with on line directions on how to apply. With others an added feature will be a CV posting service.